It's hard to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time, it's...
Tricky – Murder Weapon
Domino
Sugar Minott's 'Murder Weapon' over the 'Oh Carolina' riddim is a classic. A warning to all rudeboys to shine their guns so there won't be any fingerprints on the murder weapon.
This is the same song. The instrumental is still built around the Peter Gunn theme and the lyrics are the same. I should hate it for ripping off a dancehall gem, but I love it for reminding me to dig out the original. 4/5
TO
Chief – Night and Day
Domino
I’m a bit gutted that autumn seems to be upon us this week, because 'Night and Day' is definitely a sunny-weather song: it makes me want to put on sunglasses and drive to the middle of nowhere with the top down on my car.
The clever Californians have a mellow sound, layered up with lots of guitar and percussion to give it a whole load of depth. The vocals are cool, melodic and haunting – although front-man Evan Koga sounds a bit too much like Chris Martin for my liking – and the lyrics are simple and catchy. Overall, a nice, summery song to see us through the next few weeks of rain. 3.5/5
LBH
Mirrors – Ways To an End
Skint
Ooh, another instalment of revived '80s solemn synth "pop noir". Mirrors seem to amalgamate the qualities of the Human League and Depeche Mode; i.e. electric drum beat/synths and an angst-ridden, slightly whiny vocal over the top.
I have to say it’s actually quite catchy, and (kind of) epic. Not bad. 3.5/5
CW
Funeral Party – Just Because
RCA Records
My final year of uni was spent living with two pop-punk, post-punk, hardcore-punk, “hey stop those punks-punk” fans. That year I learnt a couple of things. Number One: cider is good at almost any time of day and Number Two: punk songs should not last much longer than two and a half minutes.
That’s where this single goes wrong – lasting almost four minutes, by which time you’ve forgotten it was even on in the first place. Hey punk; keep it simple, stick to short songs and cut out those attempts at melody. 3/5
JG
The Like – Wishing He Was Dead
Polydor
This is the third single released off The Like’s second album 'Release Me' and continues the sixties feel that the band and producer Mark Ronson were aiming for.
Charmed by the enchanting lead vocals and the harmonious backing you might miss the vengeful lyrics, which when noticed actually rather nicely offset the ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ feel to the track. 3/5
LG
Lissie – Cuckoo
Fat Possum Records
This sounds like Newton Faulkner if he took his dreads out and grew a pair, or just Taylor Swift without any make-up... I don't know, all this music sounds the same to me.
It's the type that attracts the attention of Sunday newspapers and 30-something single women who think they're being rebellious. 'Cuckoo' is much the same: a lot of blandness and a little bit 'defiant'...well you go girl....Alanis Morissette would be proud. 2/5
LD
The Cribs – Housewife
Witchita
In which the brothers Jarman plug that ‘working-on-the-new-album’ lull, shouting “REMEMBER US” at the top of their foggy lungs by sneaking out an entirely forgettable single.
Seasoned Cribs aficionados will note with scowling Northern dismay both the contact lenses and eye make-up of the video, and the gratuitous organ-led plod of their ‘new’ sound. Me? I’ll note a video which shows they don’t take themselves as seriously as they pretend they don’t (but actually do), and a dull musical vehicle designed for a singer who can sing (he can’t). 1.5/5
Olly Murs – Please Don't Let Me Go
Epic Records
Olly Murs was one of the best things about last year’s X-Factor. Mainly because he covered The Beatles' 'Twist and Shout' pretty much every week, but also because he has that strange pigeon-neck dance that made the girls scream.
His debut single since finishing as runner-up in the show is an upbeat affair, reminiscent of Lily Allen's 'Smile' but with some slick boy band sentiments sung over it. In other words, it's not so good - it's not even up-tempo enough for him to do the dance! 1/5
TT
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Felicity Ward's Guide to Online Mating
As a new person to online mating I have quickly learnt things. Nothing that I should have to take on...